About moles
Moles are skin growths that happen when the pigment cells in the skin grow in a cluster, rather than being spread out across the skin.
Moles are very common.
Sometimes children have moles when they’re born. But it’s more common for children to get moles after a year or so and to get more moles as they get older. By the age of 15 years, most children in Australia have about 50 moles.
Moles are mostly harmless. Moles aren’t cancerous. Some moles can turn into melanomas, but the risk is very low for children and teenagers.
Symptoms of moles
Moles can grow anywhere on the body. They’re usually:
- brown, black, pink or blue
- small, smooth and flat but can also be raised and hairy
- round or oval shaped and symmetrical.
Some children might have only a few moles on their body, whereas others have a lot.
Medical help: when to get it for children with moles
You should see your GP if your child’s mole:
- looks asymmetrical – that is, one half looks different from the other half
- has an uneven border
- isn’t round or oval
- is a different colour from other moles on your child’s skin
- has been inflamed for more than 1-2 weeks.
Treatment for moles
Doctors don’t recommend that children have moles removed. This is because moles don’t usually turn into cancer. Also, the procedure to remove moles can be quite distressing for children and has a high risk of scarring.
It’s usually best to wait until the teenage years before looking into mole removal. At this age, your child can decide for themselves about whether to get a mole removed. They’ll also be better able to handle the procedure.
Ask your GP for a referral to a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss your child’s options.
Prevention of moles
Sun safety can help to prevent moles and sunburn. Sun safety during childhood can also reduce the rare chance of moles turning into cancer or developing other skin cancers when your child is an adult.
You can keep your child safe in the sun by using plenty of SPF 30+ or higher, broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. Shade and protective clothing, hats and sunglasses also help.
Mole causes and risk factors
Moles tend to run in families. If you have a lot of moles, your child might end up with moles too.
Children with light skin are more likely to have numerous moles than children with dark skin.
There are some rare genetic conditions that are associated with a lot of moles.